Vitasgope



4 Shee-ts-Shet 1. T. ARMAT.

VITASGOPE.'

(No Model.)

No. 578,185. Patented Mar. '2, 189'?.

v4 Sheets-Sheet 2. T ARMAT. VITASCOPE.

V(No Model.)

Patented Mar. 2, 1897.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3A T. ARMAT.

im uw (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet' 4.

T. ARMAT.

VITASGOPE.

m: Nomus mins co.. PHOTO-Luna., wmnnrcn. n. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS ARMAT, OF vWASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

VITASCOPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 578,185, dated March 2, 1897.

Application filed September 26, 1896. Serial No. 607,058. (No model.)

To all whom, it 77mm/ concern.:

Be it known that I, THOMAS ARMAT, acitizen of the United States, residing at W'ashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vitascopes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to apparatus forexhibiting pictures, but more particularly to that class of picture-exhibiting apparatus disclosed in my pending application, Serial No. 579,901, filed February 19, 1896, in which the impression is given to the eye of objects in motion.

The primary object of the invention is to provide improved and efficient means whereby a series of photographic or other pictures showing successively the different positions or attitudes assumed bya person or object in motion may be displayed in such a manner as to reproduce to the eye the appearance of Ithe moving object through all the phases of such movement with a life-like and unblurred effeet.

Another object is to provide simple and emcient mechanism for intermittently moving the film or band forming the picture-carrying surface, so as to successively place the objects thereon in position for reproduction, without liability of slipping and not moving the film the proper distance on account ofthe variations in its thickness or otherwise and without liability to injury from the knocking and jarring of the mechanism which is incident to the means usually employed or injury to the Iilm by unnecessary strain and wear thereon.

Further objects are to provide simple and efficient mechanism capable of being also used in a photographic camera, to provide a tension and guiding device which will avoidV the necessity of exerting a lgreat pressure upon the nlm and which will instantaneously engage the film an d hold the same in its proper position without iiexing or puckering at the point of exposure, and to provide simple and eihcient means for holding the film while being operated.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists inthe construction and combination of the several parts, substantially as hereinafter described,and then pointed out in the claims at the end of the description.

Referring to the accolnpanying drawings, forming a part of this speciivcation, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of an apparatus for reproducing pictures from a picture- `carrying surface, illustrating my improved mechanism for operating and controlling the movements of the picture-carrying surface. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of one of the film-operating drums and the yielding pressure and guiding arm, and Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal section of a modified form of drum. Fig. 4 is arear elevation, on a smaller scale, ofthe film-operating mechanism and tensioning device with the projecting lens removed. Figs. 5 and are a detail front elevation and plan, respectively, of the tension and guiding device. Fig. 6 isa fragmentary vertical sectional View, taken on the line VI VI of Fig. 4, illustrating in elevation the mechanism for operating one of the drums so as to intermittently move the lm. Fig. 7 represents the interior of a camera casing or box with the mechanism in position for operating a photographic film. Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the camera-box, illustrating in elevation one means for imparting movement to the film-operating mechanism. Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section of a casing or inclosure for containing the film-reel, the reel and film being removed. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional View of the film-containing casin g with the reel therein in position for use. Fig. 11 represents in side elevation, partly diagrammatic, a preferred arrangement of the film and support and casing orinclosure therefor. Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line XII XII of Fig. 11, and Fig. 13 is a vert-ical sectional View of a modified form of mechanism for intermittently operating the drum.

In this apparatus, like that shown in my pending application above referred to, the picture is exposed for projection a much longer time than is required to displace it and substitute another in its stead, thus prolonglin g the period of illumination very greatly as.

compared with the period of interruption or change, and there is no necessity forobstruc- IOO such motion with life-like effect.

tion of the light by the interposition of a shutter or opaque substance across its path, so that the impression of the picture on the eye is so much longer and more permanent than the distortion or shadow effect incident to its movement, and the interval of change or interruption is so infinitesimal that the image of the picture is readily retained until displacement and substitution takes effect, and owing tothe inability of the eye to receive an impression from every phase of motion the interruption or change is wholly imperceptible, and the result is a most vivid appearance of an object in motion,otherwise unchanging, clearly exhibiting all the phases of This I accomplish by improved mechanism for moving the film or other picture-carrying surface intermittently in such a manner that theinterval of exposure and illumination of the picture shall so far exceed the interval of time required to eect a change as to enable the eye to receive a perfect impression or image at each exposure and to retain it through the interval of motion or change and until another picture has been superimposed, as it were, upon the one displaced, thus taking advantage both of the inability of the eye to receive an impression of movement exceeding a certain rapidity and upon that faculty of the eye kwhich enables it to retain an impression after each phase or view of the object has vanished-the persistence of visionw which enables me to change the pictures one for another imperceptibly, so as to give to the eyevthe impression of objects in motion. I

Inv practice I employ, as usual, an illuminator and a condensing-lens (not shown) adapted to concentrate the rays of light upon a picture located in the focus of an objective lens A, the latter, as Well as the illuminator and condensing-lens, being of the usual or of any preferred construction and being arranged in any suitable manner. The strip or lm B may be composed of any suitable transparent or translucent flexible substance adapted to provide a surface for carrying pictures produced thereon by photographic or other means, the several pictures in the series representing, successively, different positions of a moving object, so that the rapid exhibition of the entire series of pictures inthe orderin which they were made or taken may result in the reproduction of the appearance of the moving object in every phase of its motion. This film may be either an endless or a continuous band and supported upon rollers or in anyr other suitable manner, but I prefer to make the film endless and arrange the same as shown in Fig. 1l. In this case a box or inclosure C is provided with a lid or cover C', preferably partly or wholly of glass, so as to permit the interior of the box or casing to be readily seen, and slots or guiding portions c through which the film may pass, said guiding portions being provided with a soft covering of suitable material to prevent injury to the film during its rapid movement into and out of the casing. Y.

Within the casing are -arranged an upper and a lower bank of rollers or spoolsrD D', respectively, each comprising two series or rows of rollers of any desired number and of different diameters, the smaller rollers d being interposed between the outer or larger rollers CZ. The smaller rollers of each bank are preferably arranged in the same vertical plane as the larger rollers, so as to provide a number of pairs according to the length of the film it is desired to inclose within the casing, and the rollers of one bank are directly opposed to the spaces between the rollers of the other bank, so that the film maybe made to pass successively around or partially around the larger rollers of one of the banks and the smaller rollers of the other bank, as D' and D, respectively, and then to the initial roller d2 of the bank D to the initial smaller roller of the bank D', and so on successively through the series of rollers to the last roller d3 of the bank D and then over a guide-roller d4, ar-

ranged adjacent to the upper guiding portion i or slot c of the casing or box C, though it is to be understood that the reverse of this winding may take place, as from the smaller rollers to the larger, or there may be provided more than two banks of rollers if desired.

One of the rollers of the bank D', preferably roller d3, maybe journaled upon an arm, as d5, which has one end pivoted to the casing, so as to permit free upward and downward movement of the roller, said roller being of sufficient weight, or independently weighted, to provide sufficient tension on the film to take up any slack therein, while either or both of the banks or a number of the rollers thereof may be madeadjustable, as, for instance, the three pairs of rollers of' the bank D. These adjustable rollers or spoolsmay be journaled upon spindles extending outwardly from a base-plate d6, the outer ends of these spindles being supported in preferably L-shaped brackets dT, extending outwardly from the base-plate on the side opposite to where the film passes around the rollers. The other rollers of each bank, except the tension-roller d3, are also preferably journaled in similar brackets, `which may be secured t0 the casing or secured to or formed integrally with a plate held or arranged in the casing in any suitable manner.'

IIO

The base-plate of the adjustable rollers is The film B may pass from the casing Cy to a roller or idler e, Fig. 1, journaled in a bracket or arm e', suitably held upon the l course, a greater number may be employed.

frame E, and then around the lower surface These yielding members are each independ.

of a feed-drum E. This drum may be of any suitable construction, but preferably consists of a light hollow casing, as aluminium, provided with teeth or projections for engaging perforations or apertures in the lm, and fitted over or upon and rigidly secured to one or more collars arranged upon a shaft c3, as shown in Fig. 2, or said drum may consist of a hard-rubber spool or other body portion c4, secured to the shaft e3, over which is forced a soft-rubber band or ring e5, so as to be rigidly held between the outer iianges of the spool, as shown in Fig. 3, the band e5 being provided with teeth or projections for engaging the apertures in the film. The shaft e3 may be journaled in any suitable manner in the frame E, and may be provided with a sprocket-wheel e6, which is connected to a sprocket-wheel e7 on the driving-shaft es by a chain e9, or operated from said driving-shaft in any other preferred manner, so as to constantly rotate the feed-drum E/ and feed the lm. To one side of this feed-drum may also be placed an arm 610, adj ustably held to the frame, if desired, and provided with a curved spring or yielding portion adapted to bear underneath the film and press it gently against the periphery of the drum, so that the teeth will engage the perforations and prevent its slipping, the arm being preferably covered with plush or other soft material to prevent wearing or injuring the surface of the film, and with fingers or projections en, adapted to engage the edges of the film and aline the same, and to prevent enlarging or otherwise injuring the perforaiions or apertures in said film.

Owing to the rigidity or stiffness of the film it will be caused to move or be carried upwardly and outwardly a short distance away from the drum E and its point of contact with the yielding portion of the arm elo, so as to provide constant slack in the film at this point, and then with a return-bend it may pass in a substantially straight line through the tension and guiding device F, and thence around the drum F', (which may be similarly constructed to the feed-drum E and provided with a similar pressure and guide arm,) from which the film may pass aroundY an idler f, and thence around another idler or roller f', as shown in full lines in Fig. l, or iu the manner indicated in dotted lines in said figure or in Fig. ll, when the casing therein shown is employed; both the rollers fand e, as well as the others, if desired, being provided with a layer of plush orvsoft material to prevent injury to said film.

As a means for tensioning and frictionally holding the film so as to permit the series of pictures thereon to be brought successively into the illuminated eld and retained therein for exposure for apredetermined time I preferably provide the tension device with three yielding members f2, f3, and f4, though, of

desired pressure upon the filin.

ently hinged or pivoted to a stationary member f5, which is adapted to be-rigidly secured to the frame E, and have their outer portions provided with a covering of soft material, as plush, overlying a yielding body, as rubber, if desired, so as to frictionally hold the film against the stationary member and prevent wear of the film, a layer of leather or other material being arranged upon the stationary member, so as to form an opposed bearing-surface for the film. A series of stems or bolts f6 project outwardly from the stationary member f5, each of which pass through an aperture in one of the yielding or hinged members and have a spiral spring f7 interposed between the outer surface of each member and a nut f8 arranged upon the outer end of said stem or bolt, so as to vary the pressure of each spring in order to exert the The members f2 and f4 have guides fg, Figs. l and 5, passing through recessed portions of the stationary member, so as to engage the edges of the film and aline the same as it passes through the tension device, while upon the lower member f4 a plate flo may be provided to protect the film from the heat of the illuminator and provide a space for the circulation of air between said plate and the film, so as to keep the latter cool. This plate is provided with an opening adapted to register with an opening in the stationary member or plate f5, so as to permit exposure of the pictures carried by the film, the stationary member being preferably provided with one or more adjustable plates fm, Fig. Li, for varying the size of the openin g therein according to the position of the pictures or objects to be exposed relative to the perforations in the film, as the pictures on different films do not always occupy the saine position with reference to the apertures or perforations.

The upper member 'f2 preferably exerts less pressure than the other members and serves the double purpose of a brush to keep the filmfree from dust and to assist in holding the film so as to provide slack above the tension device and prevent iiexing or puckering of said lm at the point of exposure.

By providing three or more yielding niembers the tension of each member on the film may be greatly diminished, and at the same time the prompt action of one or more of the members is secured the instant the film has moved the desired distance.

For the purpose of intermittently moving or feeding the film or picture-carrying surface in such manner as to cause the series of pictures thereon to be brought into and permitted to remain in the illuminated field for an interval of time exceeding the time required to effect the displacement of any one picture and the substitution of another therefor, I prefer to employ a wheel or disk g, Figs. l and 6, which is secured to the shaft g of IOI) IIO

the drum F, preferably immediately inside of the upright or standard of the frame. This Wheel or disk is provided with radial slots or recesses g2, preferably four in number, extending to the periphery of said wheel, and may have depressed or concaved portions g3 bement H is rotated. The lelement H may also be provided with'a disk or circular plate h', havinga portion thereof recessed, as at h2, to permit the wheel g to rotate while engaged by the projection h,but which will engage Vthe depressions in said wheel by its periphery as soon as the projection leaves any one of theslots, so as to cause the slots or recesses in the disk to always register with said projection and to hold the wheel and drum F stationary for an interval of time in excess ofthe interval of time of each movement of said drum, the shafts e8 and e8 being so timed relatively to each other that the'feed-dr-um E' and .the drum F' will move the film the. same distance in the same interval of time. It is to -be understood, however, that aseparate disk or wheel provided -wi th concave depressions may besecured to the shaft g or arranged to rotate therewith and properly p0- `sitioned with respect to a Yslotted disk and that a separate circular plate or disk may be provided for engaging,` these depressions, the latter being also rotated and positioned with respect to the projection h of the rotating element. The rotating element is preferably of greater diameter than the wheel g in order that said wheel may be rotated the required distance and be held stationary as long as possible relatively to the time occupied by each movement. VThis arrangement permits very small and light film-moving drums to be employed, and, as will be seen, th e projection h will gradually enter and leave the slots Vor. recesses in the disk g, so as to graduallyvstart and stop Vsaid drums, thus greatly removing the strain from the` film incident to the necessarily instantaneous motion thereof, and furthermore provides an intermittently operated drum which constantly engages the -lm,so as to prevent the possibility of the film slipping by reason of variations in its thickness.

The operation of the invention-will be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken -in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The parts .being in the position shown in Figs. l and ll and the driving-shaft es operated by an electric motor or in any other suitable manner, so as to rotate the shaft e3 and ythe feed-drum E at the proper speed, thelm B will be moved in the direction indicatedby the arrows, ybut the pressure exerted bythe tension device F will hold the ilmstationary with the exposed picture in the lfield of illumination fora predetermined time,lso.as to provide sufticientslack inthe lm at the bend thereof above said tension device to permit a rapid movement of a given length suilcientto displace any one of the pictures in the series and permit another to -be brought intoposition for expos ure or reproduction. `When the Aobject has been held in the field of illumination the-proper interval of time, the projecf tion h enters one of the slots inthe disk .g and rotates said disk and the drum F and moves the film so as to displace the exposed picture and bring another into theiield of illumination, the yielding members of the tension device lpermitting the film to be forced or drawn downward, `but the instant the drum F ceases to rotate one or more of ysaid members will engage the film and prevent furtherv movement thereof until the vdrum is againrotated. The projection h is so arrangedthat it carries the wheel or disk g a part of a-revolution equal to the distance between anytwo slots or recesses, in this case one-fourth of a. revolution, and-simultaneously withtheqexit ofsaid projection from any one slot the peri pliery of the circular plate or disk h'engages the depressions or concave portions g? of "said disk, so that the drum F Will be held perfectly stationary in order to permit eachphase `or position'of the object to be held in the field of illumination the proper interval of `time and the next slot placed in position `forthe projection 7L at the next rotation of the element H. During this interval of time'the slack in the film betweenfthe drumF and the idlerf will be gradually drawn into fthe lbox or inclosure C by the feed-drum E', but not atsuch a speed as to exert a tension' orpulling strain upon the drum F', andin the same instant of time,while the picture is beingexhibited, the slack in the film between the tension device and the drum E', which has been partially or Wholly taken up by-advancing the film, will be compensated by an additional amount of slack paid out by said latter dr-um, thus providing sufficient slack ahead of'ythe tension device to permit the next succeeding picture to be brought quickly into the field ofobject in different phases of its motion the impression may be given to the eye of persons or objects in motion and With a vivid and lifelike appearance. I thus provide simple and efficient means for positively engaging and operating the film, so that it may be moved the proper distance for exposing the successive pictures Without liability to sli ppin g d ue to the varying thickness of the film and Without the knocking and j oltin g of the machinery incident to the necessarily rapid movement of the parts or unnecessary strain and Wear upon the film. Also simple means are provided for tensioning an d guiding the film and for placing and adjustably holding the film in a comparatively small space.

The film-operatin g mechanism may be used to advantage in a photographic camera, as shown in Figs. '7 and S. The camera may be of the usual or of any preferred form, and the drivingshaft es may be provided With a flywheel t and a sprocket or pulley Wheel z", adapted to have motion imparted thereto by a belt or chain connecting said pulley or sprocket Wheel to a much larger hand-Wheel i2, so as to permit very rapid movement of the film, though any other suitable means may be employed for rotating the driving-shaft. In this case, and in some instances with a reproducing apparatus, the film is Wound upon a suitable reel and held in a casing or closure J, supported upon the arm e', instead of the idler e, and after passing around the idler or roller f the lm is passed backward and Wound upon a reel j, Fig. IO, j ournaled Within a casing J This latter casing is mounted and rigidly held upon a support, as at j', and the reel on Which the strip isto be Wound is rotated by a slip-beltj2 or by any other suitable friction al gearing. Each of th ese casings or closures, Figs. 9 and lO, preferably comprise two telescopic members adapted to be removably held together by friction or other- Wise, and has a pin or shaft on which the reel j is loosely journaled or to which the reel is secured, so as to rotate therewith. The members of each casing are provided with slits js, adapted to register With each other and permit the film to be Wound upon or from the reel contained therein, the slits being provided With a suitable covering to prevent abrading the surface of the film. Such casings protect the film from light or exposure in a photographic apparatus and protect it from dust and the like when used in a reproducing apparatus.

Instead of the mechanism shown in Figs. l to S, inclusive, for intermittently operating the drum and film I may provide a disk or Wheel, as shown in Fig. 13. In this case the rotating element K has a lateral projection k, adapted to enter the slots or recesses Z and engage portions or arms Z' of the wheel L at each revolution thereof, so as to rotate said Wheel and the drum F the proper distance. The disk or circular plate h and the engaging portions therefor for positively holding the drum stationary and alining the slots or recesses for the projection k both in this 'and in the preferred form may be dispensed with and the tension device utilized for stopping the film the instant the projection k ceases to rotate the Wheel and film-engaging drum.

In some instances I may provide an inclosure or casing for the mechanism and arrange a mirror at an angle and at a convenient distance from the projecting lens, so as to refiect the rays'upward and backward upon a screen located above the mechanism in order to secure as large a picture as possible Within a compact space when it is desired to place the apparatus in public places for exhibition by using coin-actuated mechanism or otherwise.

Vhile, as described,the pictures are brought successively into an illuminated field and each picture illuminated Without interruption from the instant it enters such field until displaced by the next picture inthe series, I do not desire to be confined to the use of the invention Without a shutter, inasmuch as such a device might be used under some circumstances, as, for instance, when constructed so as to interrupt the illumination only at that instant of time When the film is moving and Without rendering the interruption perceptible to the eye.

Itis obvious that the film maybe fed to the tension device by other means than the use of a feed-drum and taken up by other means than that shown, that certain parts of the apparatus may be dispensed with or others substituted therefor, and that some parts of the operating mechanism and other parts of the apparatus may be employed with either a photographic or reproducing apparatus Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

l. The combination With a film or strip, of a tension device for yieldingly holding said film, a drum engaging the film, a Wheel or disk provided with projections or portions forming a series of peripheral recesses, and a rotating element provided With a projection adapted to successively enter the recesses and engage a portion of the Wheel at each revolution so as to intermittently rotate the drum and move the film With a gradual start-andstop mot-ion, whereby a very small and light drum may be employed and a positive intermittent motion imparted to the film so as to avoid racking and jolting of the lmechanism and unnecessary Wear and strain upon the film, substantially as described.

2. The combination With a film or strip, of a tension device for yieldingly holding said film, a drum engaging the film, a Wheel or disk provided with peripheral slots or recesses, and a rotating element provided with a lateral projection adapted to successively enter the slots or recesses and engage a portion Vof the Wheel at each revolution so as to ICO IIO

intermittently rotate the drum and move the film through the tension device, whereby a very small and light drum may be employed and a positive intermittent motion imparted to the film so as to avoid racking and jolfing of the mechanism and unnecessary wear and strain upon the film, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a film or strip, of a tension device for yieldingly holding said film, a drum engaging the film, a wheel rotating with said drum and providedwith peripheral slots or recesses, a rotating element provided with a lateral projection adapted to successively enter the slots and engage portions of the Wheel during a small portion of each revolution so as to intermittently rotate the drum and move the film through the tension device, and means for holding the drum and slotted wheel stationary during the greater portion of each revolution of the rotating element and for alining said wheel so as to permit the projection to readily enter the slots,whereby a very small and light drum may be employed and a gradual start-andstop intermittent motion imparted to said drum so as to avoid racking and jolting of the machinery and unnecessary wear and strain upon the film, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a film or strip, of a tension device, a drum engaging the film so as to draw or force the same past said tension device, -a peripherally-slotted wheel rotating with the drum and provided with con-` cave depressions between said slots, a rotating element provided with a lateral projection adapted vto enter the slots and engage portions of the wheel so as to intermittently rotate the same, and a disk or circular plate having a recessed portion adapted to engage the depression in the-slotted wheel, whereby a very light and small drum may be employed and a gradual start-and-stop intermittent motion imparted to said drum so as to avoid racking and jolting of the mechanism and unnecessary wear and strain upon the film,

` substantially as described.

5. The combination with a film or strip, of a tension device, a drum engaging the film so as to draw or force the same through said tension device,a peripherally and radially slotted or recessed disk or'wheel .rotating with said drum and provided with concave depressions between said slots, a rotating element provided With a projection adapted to successively enter the slots and engage portions of the wheel so as to intermittently rotate the same, and a disk or circular plate having a peripheral recessed portion positioned with respect to the projection so as to permit rotary motion of the slotted wheel and having its periphery adapted to engage the depressions in said slotted wheel so as to hold the drum stationary for an interval of' time in excess of the interval of rotation, whereby a very light and small drum may be employed and a gradual start-*and-stop intermittent motion imparted to said drum so as to avoid racking and jolting of the mechanism and unnecessary Wear and strain upon the film, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a film or strip, of a feed-drum engaging the film so as to impart movement thereto when rotated, mechanism for rotating said drum, a tension device through which the film passes, a second drum engaging the film so as to move the film forward through said tension device, a peripherally-slotted wheel rotating with said latter drum and provided with concave depressions between said slots, a rotating element of greater diameter than the slotted Wheel pro vided with a lateral projection adapted to eni ter the slots and engage portions of the wheel so as to intermittently rotate the same, and a recessed disk or circular plate having its periphery adapted to engage the depressions in the 4slotted wheel so as to intermittently hold said wheel stationary, whereby a very light and small drum may be employed and a gradual start-and-stop intermittent motion imparted to said drum so as to-avoid racking and jolting of the mechanism and unnecessary wear and strain upon the film, substantially as described.

7 The combination with a lm or strip, of afeeddrum engaging the film so as to impart movement thereto when rotated, a tension device through which the film passes, mechanism for constantly rotating the drum so asto provide slack on one side of the tension device, a second drum engaging the film so as to move said film forward through said tension device, a peripherally-slotted wheel rotating with said latter drum and provided with concave depressions between said slots, a rotating element comprising two disk-like portions, one of which has a lateral projection adapted to enter the slots and engage portions of the wheel so as to intermittently rolIO tate the same, and the other with a peripherally-recessed portion located adjacent to the projection so as to permit rotary motion of the slotted wheel and having its periphery adapted to engage the depressions in said slotted wheel so as to intermittentlyhold said a tension device, a drum engaging the film so i as to draw or force the same past the tension device, a peripherally-slotted wheel rotating with said drum and provided with concave depressions between said slots forming a sub. stantially lWIaltese-cross-shaped wheel, a rotating element provided with a lateral projection adapted to enter the slots and engage portions of the wheel so as to intermittently rotate the same, and a recessed disk or circular plate adapted to engage the depressions in the slotted wheel so as to intermittently hold the drum stationary, whereby a very light and small drum may be employed and a gradual start-and-stop intermittent motion imparted to said drum so as to avoid racking and jolting of the mechanism and unnecessary wear and strain upon the iilm, 'substantially as described.

9. The combination with a iilm or strip, of a feed-drum engaging the iilm so as to impart movement thereto when rotated, a shaft to which said drum is secured, a tension device for holding the lilm, a second drum engaging the ilm so as to draw or force said lilm past the tension device, a peripherallyslotted wheel rotating with said drum, a rotating element provided with a lateral projection adapted to enter the slots and engage portions of the wheel so as to intermittently rotate the same, means for intermittently holding the slotted disk and drum stationary for intervals of time in excess of the intervals of rotation, a shaft to which the rotating element is secured, together with a sprocketwheel and chain connection between this latter shaft and the feed-drum shaft so as to be simultaneously operated, whereby simple operating mechanism and a very light and small drum may be employed and a gradual start-and-stop intermittent motion imparted to said drum so as to avoid racking and jolting of the mechanism and unnecessary wear and strain upon the nlm, substantially as described.

l0. The combination with a film or strip and means for intermittently moving the same so as to successively expose the pictures thereon, of a tension device provided with three or more yielding parts or members for holding the iilm so as to insure prompt action of one or more of said members the instant the film has moved the desired distance, substantially as described.

l1. The combination with a film or strip and means for imparting movement to the same, of a tension device provided with three or more independent spring-pressed members or parts for yieldingly holding the iilm so as to insure prompt action of one or more of said members the instant the film has moved the desired distance; the upper member eX- erting less pressure than the others and serving to act as a brush to clear the film of dust as well as to exert tension on said film, substantially as described.

l2. The combination with a tilm or strip, of a tension device comprising a stationary member, three spring-pressed members arranged one above the other and adapted to yieldingly press the film against said stationary member, and guides arranged upon the upper and lower members for alining the iilm; said upper member exerting less pressure upon the lm than the other members and serving also as a brush to free the'iilm from dust, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a film or strip, of a tension device, means for intermittently moving said film so as to impart a step-bystep movement thereto, and mechanism for feeding the film so as to provide slack therein between the same and said tension device; said ten sion device being provided with three yielding parts or members for holding the lm so as to insure prompt action of one or more of said members the instant the iilm has moved the desired distance, substantially as described.

14. The combination with afilm and means for operating the same so as to successively expose aportion thereof, of two or more banks of spools or rollers around which the film passes, each comprising two series or rows of rollers of varying diameters forming a series of pairs, the banks being opposed to each other, and the rollers of one bank opposed to the spaces between the rollers of the opposite bank, so that the lm may pass around the larger rollers of one bank to the smaller rollers of the other bank successively, and then around the larger rollers oi' the latter bank to the smaller rollers of the first-mentioned bank in a similar manner, whereby a great length of film may be arranged in a very compact space, substantially as described.

l5. The combination with an endless film and means for operating the same so as to successively expose a portion thereof, of a casing or closure provided with a cover or lid and guiding-slots through which the film may pass, and two banks of spools or rollers around which the film passes, each comprising two series or rows of rollers of varying diameters formingaseries of pairs, the banks being opposed to each other and the rollers of one bank opposed to the spaces between the rollers of the opposite bank, so that the lm may pass around the larger rollers of one bank to the smaller rollers of the other bank successively, and then around the larger rollers of the latter bank to the smaller rollers of the first-mentioned bank in a similar manner, whereby a great length of iilm may be arranged and protected in a very small space, substantially as described.

16. The combination with an endless film, and means for operating the same so as to successively expose a portion thereof, of a casing or closure provided with a cover or lid, guiding-slots through which the film passes, a guide-roller for the iilm arranged adjacent to one of the guiding-slots, and two banks of spools or rollers around which the lm passes, each comprising two series or rows of rollers of varying diameters forming a series of pairs, the banks being opposed to each other and the rollers of one bank opposed to the spaces between the rollers of the opposite bank, so that the film may pass around the larger rollers of one bank to the smaller roll- IOO IOS

IIO

ering of soft rubber provided with projections adapted to engage apertures' or perforations in a film and serve as an abutting or engaging surface therefor, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two Witnesses. Y

THOMAS ARMAT. Vtnesses:

CHARLES E. RIoRDoN, J. A. E. CRIsvvELL. 

